Yilan’s “Over-the-Top” Pasta！Shrimp and clams are all super-sized

Text and photos byPurple Smile

This restaurant is the most impressive one I’ve dined at in Yilan recently. Normally, the main dish is the star, and it being delicious is pretty standard — but even the sides are incredibly well thought out, with a surprise five-star plating. The overall quality of the meal is exceptionally high.

Truffle chicken breast stuffed rice, over-the-top seafood pasta, American-style boneless garlic beef short ribs... It’s all so over-the-top~ I think even Eason Chan would jump for joy after eating this. I left the meal completely satisfied, especially since the prices are extremely reasonable. Highly recommend this high-value-for-money gem of a restaurant.

The restaurant is located next to Yilan’s Cultural Center, right by the triangular intersection!! Hehe, the signboard above steals the show though.

It lacks the luxury and prestige of a high-end restaurant, but it has the warmth and comfort of a small eatery, creating a very relaxed atmosphere. It’s perfect for those who want refined cuisine without breaking the budget. The yellow-green color scheme paired with wooden furniture gives off a fresh, natural, and leisurely vibe.

The shop has also recently launched afternoon tea — those with time should definitely give it a try.

The original chopstick rest has been creatively repurposed as a knife-and-fork holder for the steak — how fun is that.

The introduction of the restaurant mainly focuses on the head chef — let’s just say the chef is highly skilled and professionally trained.

To help more people get to know Abu, they’ve specially created this fried rice!! For just NT$98, and you can enjoy it with air conditioning too.

A great value-for-money pasta option.

Classic Caesar salad for two

The salad isn’t just some basic lettuce tossed with a simple dressing. It includes a variety of ingredients — romaine, olives, croutons, bacon... etc. — and is topped with cheese powder. The crisp textures are wonderfully diverse, and the flavor is excellent.

The restaurant’s recommended salmon fried rice!! For office workers, most lunchboxes these days cost 70–90 NT$, and aren’t necessarily healthy or tasty. This salmon fried rice is light yet flavorful. The rice is not greasy or oily, every grain is distinct and well-seasoned — we couldn’t stop eating it, one bite after another!!

The fresh juices are also delicious, made with real ingredients.

The black tea tastes great too — even the seemingly plain tea drinks and coasters are prepared with care.

Especially recommended is the miso fish soup, which also comes with a small piece of fish. The soup is both tasty and filling.

White wine clam pasta NT$158The clam flavor is super fresh (Jean’s favorite), and the noodles are quite chewy and bouncy.

Great for sharing with friends — check out those chubby clams smiling generously with their mouths wide open.

Truffle chicken breast stuffed rice set NT$388Comes with Abu soup, handmade bread, and Abu’s classic black tea. It’s impressive the moment it’s served, right?

Usually, the main plate centers around the main dish, but look at this — the sides are stealing the spotlight!! Even though they’re sides, the plating is incredibly delicate, almost like a painting. And don’t underestimate these small dishes.

Each one has its own unique flavor. Take the little mountain bitter melon in the picture, for example — it’s been marinated in roselle, so it’s sweet and tangy, really delicious. And that white square side dish that’s so eye-catching? It’s taro and winter melon simmered in clam and chicken broth. Not many places put this much care into their sides!!

The truffle chicken breast stuffed rice!! If the sides are that amazing, the main dish must be even better. Yes, indeed — the main dish is a skillfully crafted marvel. The rice is infused with the elegant and enchanting aroma of truffles, but not overwhelmingly so.

The texture is somewhat like risotto — soft yet tender. The chicken is free-range, with a soft yet chewy bite, and it’s soaked up the fragrance of the truffle rice~~ Overall, the dish is truly top-notch!! You’ll really want to applaud.

The soup is a creamy corn soup with a hint of seafood. The flavor is rich and not treated as an afterthought just because it’s soup — it’s really delicious.

The handmade bread is also pretty good — soft in texture yet still chewy, perfect for dipping in the soup.

German-style pork knuckle with sauerkraut, and this is also a complete set meal!! Couldn't help but ask about the sides—from left to right: bitter melon, Romanesco cauliflower, roselle, apple vinegar purple sweet potato, and loofah. Even the sauerkraut is simmered with white wine vinegar and Chinese herbs, and these small sides each have their own unique flavor—such thoughtfulness, highly recommended.

The pork knuckle is crispy on the outside, tender and bouncy on the inside, with a hint of smoky aroma. Not only is it fragrant, but it also pairs perfectly with the sauerkraut. Especially the side that I initially thought was mashed potatoes turned out to be risotto!! This risotto is so delicious—it could easily be the main dish. Having risotto also adds to the feeling of fullness.

Over-the-top Seafood Spaghetti, and this is also a set meal!! Haha, the name of this dish is really fun. It includes prawns, big clams, and yellowtail slices!!! So rich and colorful—no wonder it’s described as "over-the-top." The restaurant must be a fan of Eason Chan’s songs too!!

Highly recommend the "Over-the-top" dish. The red sauce is made by blending fresh beef tomatoes, and the flavor is spot on.

Big clams.

Tender yellowtail slices.

Prepared king prawns with no shells needed—sweet, juicy, and chewy. So thoughtful.

American-style Garlic Beef Short Rib Meal NT408. The first time I saw a price ending in 08, I really wanted to ask why. The beef short rib is super tender, almost like it’s been steamed at low temperature like at Din Tai Fung. The taste and texture are not inferior at all—in fact, they might even surpass it.

There’s also a small portion of spaghetti on the side. It’s rare to see such a combination. I heard it was added to meet customer demand for more satiety. Truly a feast for the eyes, nose, and taste buds.

Dessert time—how about one sweet and one savory?! The Lanyang Supreme Savory Pie is truly amazing. Even though our group of four was already stuffed, this pie was almost gone in seconds. It combines local ingredients like duck meat, liver, and lots of vegetables—red and yellow peppers, broccoli, mushrooms, cheese... etc., getting more flavorful the more you chew. No wonder it disappeared in just a few bites.

Cheese pound cake—the moment you take a bite, you’re hit with its rich, buttery flavor, and the cheese aroma lingers in your mouth for a long time!!! The bottom crust, or pastry shell, is very soft, but if it were replaced with something crunchier like a digestive biscuit, it might be even better.

Even the dessert is decorated with flowers—impressive. Wow, this meal was truly a delight, from drinks to sides to the main course, every element was top-notch. What’s even more commendable is the very reasonable pricing. It’s truly a restaurant that excels in both food and art—highly recommended!!

A-Bull Gourmet/Abu Gourmet Facebook
Address: No. 1, Section 3, Nongquan Road, Yilan City, Yilan County (Triangular corner next to the Yilan Cultural Center lawn)
Phone: 03 933 0229
Business Hours: 11:30–16:30 / 17:30–21:00

We are Purple Smile Ben & Jean, and we love food, travel, photography, and 3C gadgets.